Rodger "Darby" Parker

Rodger "Darby" Parker (81), of Willow Creek, Montana, passed away on May 25, 2023.

Darby was born to Jesse and Frances Parker in Bozeman, Montana, on September, 16, 1941.. He grew up in Willow Creek, Montana, and graduated from Willow Creek High School in 1959. Following this, he studied to become an auctioneer.

He started working as a teenager hauling hay, and worked as a hired hand for several farmers and ranchers in the area. He and his father owned their own mechanic shop for a time. He also worked as a school bus driver, and for Montana Power. In 1970 he went to work for Trident Cement Plant. He eventually retired from the plant after 37 years. Darby was a mechanic by trade but was happiest working cattle and farming. He had a knack for solving problems in creative ways. This talent earned him the nickname MacGyver at the cement plant.

He was loved by friends and family for his clever wit and dry sense of humor. His greatest gift was his willingness to help anybody with anything, asking for nothing in return. As a boy, he became an avid reader. His favorite author was Louis L'Amour. He enjoyed studying maps and history. He loved spending time in the mountains fishing and hunting. He spent hours behind a spotting scope watching elk.

He married Lorna Schwoob in 1963. They were married just 5 days short of 60 years. They had two daughters, Becky Satterwhite and Donna Parker. Becky blessed him with four granddaughters, Mariah, Nicole, Grace, and Kayla. A friend once asked him if he felt cheated because he didn't have a grandson? He replied, "Why would I feel cheated? They all fish."

A memorial service will be held at the Willow Creek High School gymnasium for friends and family on June 10th at 2 p.m.

Darby is survived by his wife Lorna and two daughters, Becky Satterwhite and Donna Parker. He is also survived by his sisters Sheila Covey (Bill) and Shari Harris, sister-in-law Marjorie Rogers, brother-in-law Larry Wilcox (Linda) along with his granddaughters Mariah, Nicole, Grace, Kayla, great-grandson Chayton Dean, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Frances Parker, a son Rodger Dean, father and mother-in-law, George and Valore Wilcox along with Lorna's biological father George Schwoob.